Mine car sealing device



July 8, 1952 H. w. SANFORD, JR., ETAL.

MINE CAR SEALING DEVICE 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Deo. 23, 1947 July 8, 1952 H. w. SANFORD, JR., Erm. 2,602,402

MINE CAR SEALING DEVICE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Deo. 23, 1947 INVENTOR Hugh W Sfzjrd, fr. and lf'ed F Sanford, l?.

Bxl/674. ATTORNEYS Patented July 8, 1952 UNITED STATES MINE CAR SEALING DEVICE Hugh W. Sanford, Jr., and Alfred F. Sanford, II,

Knoxville, Tenn., assignors to The Sanford Investment Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware t Application December 23, 1947, serial No. 793,398

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in mine car sealing devices, particularly for sealing the drop bottom doors of mine cars used for transporting coal or other materials from a loading pointto a point of discharge, where such materialsfare discharged through the bottom of the Acar uponl 'releasev of the drop bottom doors therein. f .T

VIn mine cars used for the transportation of coal and other loose lading, it is important that the drop bottom doors be sealed at the opposite edges thereof against the leakage of coal between the edges of the doors and the side sills of the car. It is difficult to form thel doors so these will t so closely to the inside faces of thevside sills as to prevent the leakage of loose coal therebetween. Consequently, special provision should be made for sealing the space between the edges of the doors and the side sillsv against the leakage of coal therebetween.

The'object of this invention is to improve the construction of mine cars, especially'of large capacity, andparticularly the means for sealing the lateral edges of the drop bottom doors, whereby a wide door opening will be sealed effectively at its lateral edges when the'do'or is closed against the leakage of coal therethrough.

This object maybe accomplished.' according to certain embodiments of ythis invention, by the provision of means provided in cooperating relation withthe edge of the door and the adjacent. portion of the car 'structure in wiping relation with the opposed surfacesv therebetween for sealing effectively the crack therebetween at earch opposite edge of the door and without interfering with the normal opening and closing actions of the latter. Such a wiping action can be accomplished in various ways, as, for instance, by a flexibleA or yieldable :element Asupported by one of the cooperating members in position to overlap or bear upon the other to prevent theleakage of coal or loose lading through the crack.

Certain embodiments ofl the invention are illustrated in the accompanyingV drawings, Vin which: I'

Fig. 1'is a side elevation of amine'car showing the inventiony applied thereto; Y Y

Fig. 2 is a detail transversey section through a portion of the car on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing one form of sealing means for the edge of the door; and.

Figs. 3 to 11 are similar views showing other forms of sealing means that may be used. n

The invention is shown as applied to a mine car of the four-wheel type adapted to travel n a track formed by rails R. The car is shown as comprising a body having side and end walls l and 2 supported on side sills 3, at each opposite side of the body. The frame structure of the car comprising the side sills 3 and the combined end sills and bumpers Il, is supported on wheels 5, adapted to travel on the track R. j

yThe car illustrated is of the bottom dumping type, the space between the side sills 3 being open, except as it is closed bydrop bottom doors generally designated E, three of which are shown. These doors 6 are latched in closed positions and are adapted to be released to discharge the lading from the car. f'

Each door 6 extends from side-to-side ofthe lading body between the opposed side sills 3. with a crack between each edge of the door 6, andthe adjacent side sill, as will be evident inthe drawings. Usually each edge of thedoor` 6 is provided with a iiange onthe edge thereof, eitherformed integral with the door plate or separate, as shown, and indicated at 'l in Fig. 2. In this form, the flange bar 'l extends lengthwise of the ldoor plate and is welded thereto. Preferably a substantially straight bar may be vused for-the purpose, the door 6 also being substantially straight and plane throughout the major'portionV of its length. This ange bar 'l at each edge of the door 6 is adapted to extend up into the space between the opposed side sills when the door is in closed position. Usually the doors are closed by closing devices mounted in the track R, and are latched at their free edges. This requires thev upward movement of the doors to points above the closed positions thereof in the latchlng or unlatching of the doors.

In the hauling of coal or other loose lading, the latter often sifts outthrough the cracks provided between the door and the adjacent side sill unless provision is made to seal the space between the edges of the .door `and the sill. Several forms of sealing devices are illustrated, which preferably have some wiping action with the opposed members and overlapping the space therebetween. Such wiping action tendsto seal the space while allowing the relative movement between the parts necessary for the opening and closing movements of the door and the latching and unlatching thereof.

In the form shown in Fig. 2, this sealing ymeans is provided by a leaf spring, generally designated at 8, which may be formed of a strip of spring steel extending lengthwise throughout the length of the side sill 3, or the door 6, and attached at 9, as by welding, riveting orl any other suitable 3 manner, to the adjacent under edge of the side sill 3. The strip 8 at its upper inner edge bears in overlapping relation with the upper edge of the flange bar 'l on the door 6, at each opposite edge of the latter, and overlapping the space between these parts, prevents the lading from sifting through the crack therebetween. es the spring strip 8 bears in wiping relation with the adjacent edge of the door 6, or the flange bar 'l thereof, this stripI 8 will yield to permit relative upward and downward movementof the door with respect to the side sill, while maintaining the sealing relation whenever the `door is in closed position.

This sealing spring maybe shortenedas indicated at I0, in Fig. 4, if desired, so as to have wiping relation with the face of `the strip l, instead of with the upper edge thereof, as in Fig. 2.

Another form thereof is shown in Fig. 5, as indicated at l I, also bearing against the face of the door vflange 1, but folded over in U-shape -with thewiping edge intermediatev the width ofthe spring strip. The lower edge ofthe strip ll is secured rigidly-to the'side sill 3, while the upper edge thereof is free but bears against the inner face of the sill,'so as-to yield inwiping relation with the adjacent faceof the flange 1.

In Figs. 3 and 6, are shown the use of brushes inwipingv actionbetween the adjacent portions of thedoor and the 'side'silL Fig. 3 shows a brush I2 securedvto the under face of the side sill 3, and preferably formed as a wire brush with the wire bristles relatively close together in position for wiping action with the lateral face of the ange l. In-Fig.6, the wire brush i3 is supported directly vupon the'innerl faceof the side sill 3, in wiping relationwith the lateral face of the flange bar 1.

In Figs. 7 and 8, the sealing. member is carried by thedoor. .In Fig. 7, the'sealing member 25 is 'in the form of a leafspring secured at one edge to the 4ilange bar 'l fof' the door,A while its opposite edge is in -wipingrelation with the under edgefof the side sill 3. iIn Fig. 8, the sealing member 26 is secured over the upper edge of the ange Ibar 'l and also extends into' wiping relation with the lower edge of the side sill. In each of these instances, the wipingzmember scomposed of a strip of spring steel, or other metallic material sui-table for the purpose.

' In Fig. 11, thefwiping member is shown at 2 secured tothe `upper edge. of the ilange bar 1 and extends yupwardly therefrom. in wipingA relation with the inner .face of the side sill 3, overlapping the crack betweenithe sill and the door.

In Figs. 9 and 10, .the wiping member isY provided in the form of a rubber gasket Ain or over the crack extending lengthwise of ea'ch; edge of the door. Thisfgasketisshown in Fig. 9, at 2B, carried by the inner face of the side 'sill 3, and is inposition to" bear upon the outer facerof the door flange 1. VIn Fig. 10, the gasket 29 is carried by the door flange 'l and bears against the inner face of the side sill 3.

Inr each instance,it will be clear that thefsealing means provided is at each lateral edge of the Y .door and extends throughout `thel major portion ofthe length of the door, at least between the wheel hoods generallydesignated at kin Fig. 1. The edges of the door 4inwardlyywith respect to the adjacent-faces of vthe hoods 5 may be closed by means of deflector plates, if desired, as set forth more infdetailfin. the application of Hugh W. Sanford. for MineCar-Sealing Devices, Serial No'. 739.79.62 .filed April .7, 19.216, whichhasmatured to Patent Number 2,577,040, dated December 4. 1951.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in severalembodiments, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein, without departing from the invention, except as specied in theclaims.

We claim:

1. In a vehicle having a lading body with separated side sill structures and having a bottom opening therebetween for the discharge of lading therethrough, a drop bottom door for closing said opening and having cracks between opposing ffaceszon" saidedges of the door Vand the side sill structures,"y means mounting an edge portion of the door on? the vehicle for swinging movement .aboutan ax-isextending transversely of the vehicle, movable means for engaging the opposite edge portion of the door for holding the door closed and movable to release the door for opening,- said" door vbeing movable ron the mounting means relative to the side sill structure to a point above the closedpositionv thereof for movement of v.the engaging means into holding position relative4 thereto, and means for closing the crack between the door-andeach adjacent side sill structure, including a resilient .member carried by one of said elements in position to engage the opposing face of the other of said1elements in Vwiping relationduring the closing movement of the door relative to the sidesillf structures-said resilient member beingu arranged to I vary the coacting wiping pressure on the. adjacent element in different positions of the door.

2. In "a vehicle -having 'a lading body with separated .side sill structures and having-a bottom openingv Yth3-rebetween'for the discharge of lading therethrough,l va .':drop bottom door for 'closingsaid opening and having cracks between opposing faces on said edges of Athe door and the side sill structuresymeans mountingl an edge portion of thedoor-onthe vehicle for swinging movement about anax-is extending transversely of the Vvehicle,^movable meansfor engaging the opposite edge portion of theV door.. for' holding the door closed and movable-to'release the door for opening, said doorwbeing .movable -on the mounting means relative Atothe side silll structure to a point above the'closed. position thereof `for movement of. the engaging means into holding position-relative thereto, and means for closing the crack between the' door andeach adjacent side sill structure, including a resilient member carried by one of. said elements in position to engage the oppos- 'ing'face of. the'other of said elementsin wiping relation-.during theclosing movement of the door relative lto thel sidesill structures, said resilient member: extending. 'in' overlapping relation with the crack from side-toside,thereof, said resilient memberbeing arranged tov vary the coacting wiping pressure onfthe. adjacent element indifferent positions of. the door.

3. YIn a vehicle.Y having f-.a-flading body -with separated side sill. structures and having abottom opening therebetween for the dischargeof lading therethrough, .a ,.drop Y. bottom `=door for closing said opening-and havingcracks between said Vedges of the door andthe-side sill structures, means mounting-an edgeportionuof the door on the vehicle for` swingingmovement. about an axis extending transversely of the vehicle, movable means for .engaging the-opposite edge portion of the door for .holding the door closedand movable to release thedoor foropening, said. door being movable. on themounting -means .relative ,to .the

aeoafioa' ing transversely of the crack therebetweenpduring the closing of the door.

4. In a vehicle having a lading bodyv with separated side sill structures and having a bottom opening therebetween for thedischarge of lading therethrough, a drop bottom door for closing said opening yand having cracks between opposing faces onA said edges of the door and the side sill structures, means mounting van edge portion of the door on the vehicle for swinging movement about an axis extending transversely of the vehicle, movable means for engaging the opposite edge portion of the door for holding theV door closed and movable to release the door for opening, said door being movable on the mounting means relative to the side sill structure 'to a point above the closed position thereof for movement of the engaging means into holding position relative thereto, and means for closing the crack against the leakage offlading therethrough, including a member carriedbythe door at the edge thereof in overlapping relation withL the crack and in position to Yengage theopposing face of the adjacent side sill'structure during the-closing movement of the door. v

5. In a vehicle havingY a lading body with separated side sill structures and having a bottom opening therebetween for the discharge of lading therethrough, a drop bottom door for closing said opening and having cracks between opposing faces on said edges of the door and the side sill structures, means mounting an edge portion of the door on the vehicle` for swingingmovement about an -axis extending transversely of the vehicle, movable means for engaging the opposite edge portion of the door for holding the door closed andmovable to release the door for opening, said door being movable on the mounting means relative to the side sill structure to a point above the closed position thereof for movement of the engaging means into holding position relative thereto, and means for closing the crack against the leakage of lading therethrough, including a member carried by the door at the edge thereof in overlapping relationwith the crack and in position to engage the adjacent sidesill structure during the closing movement of the door, said means being constructed of resilient material and engaging in wiping relation'against the opposing face of an edge portion ofthe side sill structure, said resilient member beingv ar'- ranged to vary the coacting wiping pressure on the adjacent element in different positions of the door. l

6. In a vehicle having a lading body with separated side sill structures and having a bottom opening therebetween for the discharge of lading therethrough, a drop bottom door for closing said opening and having cracks between said edges of the door and the side sill structures, means mounting an edge portion ofthe door on the vehicle for swinging movement about an axis extending transversely of the vehicle, movable means for engaging the opposite edge portion of the door for holding the door closed and movable to release the door for opening, said door being movable on the mounting means relative to the side sill structure to a point above the closed DOSiton thereof f or movement ofr the engaging?v means int0 holdingV position relative thereto, and

means for closing the crack between the door and each adjacent vside sill structure, including a member carried by the side sill structure in position to' engage the adjacent edge'of the door and extending transversely-of thecrack therebetween during the closing of `the door, said means' being constructed of resilient'material' and engaging in wiping relation against an edge portionrof the door, vsaid resilient member being; arranged to vary the coactingwiping pressure on the adjacent element in different positionsof the door.

7. In a vehicle" having a lading body with separated sill structures and having an opening therebetween for the dischargeof lading there-f through, a doorv for closing said opening and having cracks between opposingy facesv onl said edges of the door and the sill structures,- means mounting an edge portion of the door on thevehicle for swinging movement'about an axis "ex-y tending transversely` of the vehicle, movable means for engaging the opposite edge'portion of the-door for holdingthe door closed andjmovable to release the door foropening, said doori'being movable on the mounting means 'relative 'to-the side sillstructure to a point above the closed position thereof formovement'of the engaging meansinto holding position relative thereto,'and means for closing the crack between the door and each adjacent vsill structure, including a resilient member carried by one "of'said elements in Ypositionto engage the opposing facev of 'theotherof said elements in wiping relation during the closingmovement of the door relative tothe sill-structures, said resilient member being arranged to vary the coacting wiping pressure on the adjacent' element in different positions of the door.I f

8. -In a vehicle -having' a" lading' booly'with separated sill structures and having an opening therebetween for the discharge of lading therethrough, a door for closing said opening and having cracks between opposing faces on said edges of the door and the sill structures, means mount-v ing an edge portion of the doorfon the vehicle for swinging movement-about an axis extending transversely of the vehicle, movable'means for engaging the opposite edge portion of the door for holding vthe door closed-and movable to re closing means comprisinga'cantilever leaf springl fixed at one edge to one of said members and having the opposite edge thereof free in wiping relation with the opposing face of the other of said members, said leaf spring being arranged to vary the pressure on the adjacent element in wiping relation therewith in different positions of the door.

9. In a vehicle having a lading body with separated sill structures and having an opening therebetween for the discharge of lading therethrough, a door for closing said opening and having cracks between opposing faces on said edges of the door and the sill structures, means mounting an edge portion of the door on the vehicle for swinging movement about an axis extending transversely of the vehicle, movable means for engaging the opposite edge portion of the door for 7. holding the/door closed and `movable-,to release the door for opening,` sai'ddoor being movable on the mounting means relative to the side sill structure to a point above the. closedl position thereof for movement of the engaging means-into holding position relative thereto, and means Vfor closing thel cracks betweenthe door and the sill structures and forming a 'wiping action therebetween in the closing movement of; the door, said closing. means comprising acantilever leaf spring nxed at one edge to the edge ofthe door and having the opposite edge: thereof free in wiping relation with thefopposing face of the sill structure, said leaf springbeingarranged to vary the pressurev on theadjacent element in wiping rela tiontherewith in different positions of the door.

10. In a vehicle having a lading body with separatedsidefsill structures andV having an opening therebetween for the discharge of lading therethrough, aV plurality of drop bottom doors,

between the side'sill structures for closing said opening and having cracks between opposing faces on the lateral edges of the doors and the sill structures, means mounting'an edge portion of each of the doors for swinging movement about an axis extending transversely of the vehicleand with adjacent edge portions in overlapped relation in supported positions, one of the doors being movableon the mounting means relative to the side sill .structures above the lower edges thereof to a point appreciably abovepthe. closed position thereof, and a resilient member carried by eachdoor adjacent alateral edge thereof in position to engage the opposing face 'of the' adjacent side sill structure in wiping relation therewith during the closing movement of the door for preventing leakagev of lading therethrough, said resilient member being arranged to vary the coacting wiping pressure on the adjacent element in different positions of thedoor.

11.111 a vehicle having a. ladingbody with separated side sill structures and having an opening therebetween Vfor Athe discharge of lading therethrough, a pluralityof drop bottom doors between the side sill structures for closing said openingI and having cracks between opposing faces on the lateral edges of the doors and the sill structures, means mounting an edge portion of each of the doors for swinging movementabout an axis extending transversely of the vehicle and with adjacent edge portions in overlapped relation in supported positions, one of the doors being movable on the mounting means relative to the side sill structures above the lower edges thereof to a point appreciably above the closed position thereof, and aleafA spring carriedbyeach door adjacent eachlateral edge thereof in position for ywiping relationfwith thel opposing face ofthe adjacent side sillistructureduring the closing movement of the door relativen thereto forv preventing leakage of `lading therethrough, said leaf springbeingv arranged to vary the pressure' with adjacent edge portions-in overlapped rela-l tion in supported positions, one of the .doors being movable onthe mounting means relativeto the sidersill structures abovethe lower edges thereof to a point appreciably'above the closed position thereof, anda leaf spring carriedby each door adjacent eachlateral edge thereof in position for wiping relation with the opposing face of the adjacent side sill structure during the closing ,movement of theI door relative thereto for preventing leakage of lading therethrough, each leaf spring extendingthroughout` the major portion of the length of the door, said leaf spring being arranged to .vary the pressure onthe adjacent element in wiping relation therewithY in different positions of the door.

Y VHUGH W, SANFORD, JR. ALFRED F. SANFORD,- II.

nisFraganciasY CITED The followingrefe'rences are 'of record in the file of this patent:

Number Name 973,840 Anson Oct. 2,5, 1910 987,877 Harrigan 'Mar. 28, 1911 1,256,323 Ingoldsby Feb. 12,'19-18 1,762,667 Sanford et al. June 10, 1930' 1,851,214V Sanford et al. Mar. 29, 1932 1,882,186 Hankins Oct. 11, 1932A 1,918,948 Wine July 18, 1933 1,949,080 Murphy Feb. 27J 1934 1,955,868 Wine Apr.' 24, 1934 1,972,431 Tmmis Sept. 4, 1934 2,136,687 Harnly Nov. 15, 1938 2,188,815 Murphy Jan. 30, 1940 2,189,795 Hartbauer Feb. 13, 1940 2,215,515 Mathey- Sept. 24, 1940 2,237,059 Reid Apr. 1, 1941 2,428,731 Abrams Oct. 7, 1947 2,443,959 `Merrill June 22, 1948 

